Foldable football practice apparatus



Nov. 16, 1965 R. CROWTHER 3,218,070

FOLDABLE FOOTBALL PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

RAE CROWTHER BY MW ATTYS. l

Nov. 16, 1965 Filed March 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORZ I Z5 RAE CROWTHER 25 BY 56 E 2 5 ATTYS.

Nov. 16, 1965 R. CROWTHER 3,218,070 v FOLDABLE FOOTBALL PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed March 22, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 n09. 57% fag INVENTORZ RAE C ROWTH E R ATTYS.

3 218 07G FOLDABLE FOOTBAIL I RACTICE APPARATUS Rae Crowther, Had'donfield, N..l., assignor to Rae Crowther Co., Narberth, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 22, 1950, Ser. No. 16,728 10 Claims. (Cl. 273-55) This invention relates to football practice apparatus for teaching, training, and developing football players in the art of line charging, blocking, and like maneuvers. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved football practice apparatus of the type described, which is especially suited for indoor use.

The apparatus of the present invention is especially designed for indoor use in a gymnasium or the like to supplement comparable outdoor equipment when weather conditions preclude outdoor activity. The present apparatus is designed to be supported against a wall of a gymnasium, for example, and is constructed to yield to and resist the blocking and charging movements of a football player when in the set-up or operative position, and when not in use, can be collapsed and positioned against the wall so that it is out of the way and does not interfere with other activities which may be conducted in the gymnasium or room where the apparatus may be located.

These and other objectives of the invention, and the various details of construction and operation thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a football practice apparatus embodying the present invention in the set-up position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus in the set-up position, the collapsed position thereof being indicated in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus in the set-up position thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 4- of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the apparatus when collapsed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing certain structural details of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view showing a modification of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view on line 99 of FIG. 8, and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section illustrating certain structural details of the modification shown in FIG. 8.

Referring noW to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a football practice apparatus made in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus comprises an elongated base member 10, which may be of channel cross section pivotally connected at its inner end to an anchor member 11 which extends along the building wall 12 at the bottom thereof and is bolted to the floor 13. The base member 10 is adapted to rest upon the floor 13, and in the set-up position of the apparatus extends outwardly from the anchor member 11, substantially at right angles to the wall 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the base 10 is pivotally connected to the anchor member 11 by a pair of pins or dowels 14, 14a which are removably engaged, respectively, through aligned pairs of sleeves 15, 15a and 16, 164, the sleeves 15 and 16 being secured at the inner end corners of the base 10 and the sleeves 15a and 16a being secured to the nite ttes ate anchor member 11 so that in the set-up position of the apparatus the sleeves 15 and 16 are disposed in co-axial alignment with the sleeves 15a and 16a.

A padded dummy 17 which is engaged by a player using the apparatus is carried by a vertically-extending, forwardly-bowed leaf spring 18 which has its opposite ends pivotally connected, respectively, to lower and upper support members 19 and 20. The lower support member 19 overlies the base member 10 and has its inner end permanently connected thereto. The member 19 is of angular configuration as best shown in FIG. 1, and has a generally horizontal forward portion bolted to the apex of an inverted V-shaped spring 21 and extending outwardly through an inverted U-bolt 22 which serves to limit upward movement of said member 19. The upper support member extends angularly upward and outwardly from the base member 10 to which it is permanently secured adjacent the inner end thereof. The lower and upper support members 19 and 20 are reinforced and braced by a vertically-extending strut 23 which spans the space between said supporting members and has its opposite ends permanently connected thereto, and by a strap member 24 which is bolted to and extends between the strut 23 and the upper support member 20, for example, as shown in the drawings.

The padded dummy 17 and its supporting members are braced against lateral movement by lateral brace members 25 and 25a which extend angularly upward from the anchor member 11 in convergent relation, and engage the upper supporting member 20 at opposite sides thereof. The lower ends of the brace members 25 and 25a are hingedly connected to the anchor member 11 adjacent its opposite ends as indicated at 26 and 26a respectively, and the upper ends of said brace members are permanently connected by a bridge piece 27 (see FIG. 5) in predetermined spaced relation so as to receive between them the upper supporting member 20, as shown. The brace members 25 and 25a are detachably connected to the upper supporting member 20 by means of a pin or dowel 28 which is removeably engaged through aligned sleeve members 29 and 29a secured respectively to the supporting member 20 and brace members 25 and 25a.

The apparatus may be further supported and braced against frontal impact by an angularly declining member 30. The member 30 has its upper end hingedly connected to the building wall 12 as shown at 31, and has its lower end detachably connected to the supporting member 20 by a pin or dowel 32 removably engaged through aligned sleeves 33 and 33a secured respectively to said member 30 and to a plate 34 secured to the rearward face of said upper supporting member 20.

In the set-up position shown, for example, in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the apparatus is used for football practice by a player charging or blocking against the padded dummy 17 in a manner well known to the art, and the impact and force of the players charge or block is absorbed by the spring 18 and associated supporting structure.

When the apparatus is not in use, and it is desired to store it out of the way against the wall 12, this may be readily accomplished by reason of the novel construction and arrangement described above. To do this, the pin 28 is removed from the sleeves 29, 29a and the brace members 25, 25a swung inwardly against the wall 12. The pin 32 is then removed from the sleeves 33, 33a, and the member 30 is swung downwardly in overlying relation with the bridge piece 27 and between the spaced upper ends of the brace members 25, 25a, thereby holding the latter against the wall 12. The members are maintained in this position, as shown in FIG. 6, by inserting the pin 28 in the aligned sleeve portions 29a of the brace members 25, a. One of the pins 14, 14a for example the pin l connecting the base ill to the anchor member ll is now removed, and the base it and structure supported thereby are pivoted laterally about the other pin 14a to a position close to the Wall 12, for example, as shown in brolten lines in FIG. 2 (see also PEG. 6). The reverse procedure may be employed to re-assemble the apparatus in the set-up position for use.

FEES. 8 to 10 show a modification of the apparatus of carts are the same except that the rigid support memis replaced by an extensibl resilient support 3 5, and the anchor member 11 is spring mounted With respect to the Wall 12. The extensible support member comprises a tubular portion pivotally ecured to the wall at one end having a shaft slidably mounted therein which projects from its outer end. A compression spring ll is mounted on the shaft intermediate a shoulder :22 on the outer end of the tubular portion 3?, and a collar adjustably mounted on the shaft. As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of outwardly bowed leaf springs 37 are disposed intermediate the anchor member El and the Wall 12 adjacent outer ends of the anchor member ll. The leaf springs 37 are maintained in this position by a pair of bolts 38 extending from the wall 12 through aligned openings 26 in the springs and anchor memher, and nuts secn ed to the outer ends of the bolts. This construction provides for greater resiliency of the apparatus upon impact of the dummy 1? by a player.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be incorporated within the scope of the following claims:

1 claim:

1. Football practice apparatus for installation indoors against t e Wall of a gymnasium or the like comprising a base member, an anchor member for mounting at the base of the Wall, means pivotally connecting said base member to said anchor member and selectively operable to position the base member in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the Wall and an inoperative position substantially parallel to the Wall, a dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member including a supporting member secured to the base to extend outwardly from the Wall in said set-up position of the base member, pivotally mounted lateral brace members electively movable between a position engaging the suporting member at opposite sides thereof in said set-up position to brace the supporting structure against lateral movement and a position disposed against the wall in said inoperative position, means detachably connecting said brace members to said supporting member in said et-up position, a frontal impact brace member, means for pivotally mounting said member adjacent the well, said frontal impact brace member selectively positionable to engage said support member in said set-up position and to be disposed a ainst the wall in said inoperative position, and means selectively operable to detachably connect said frontal brace member to said supporting member in said set-up position and to secure said frontal brace member to the lateral brace members thereby retaining the latter against the Wall in said inoperative position.

2. Football practice apparatus for installation indoors against the side Wall of a gymnasium or the like comprising a base member, an anchor member for mounting at the base of the side Wall, means connecting one end of said base member to said anchor member for pivotal movement of said base member about a verti al axis, said base member adapted to be disposed in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the side Wall and adapted to be pivoted relative to the anchor member to an inoperative position against the side Wall wherein the base member and anchor member are disposed in a common plane substantially parallel to one another, a

dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member including a supporting member secured to the base to extend outwardly from the Wall in the set-up position of the base member, a frontal impact brace member, means for pivotally mounting said frontal impact brace member adjacent the Wall, said frontal impact brace memi351 selectively positionable to engage said support memher in said set-up position, said frontal impact brace memadapted to be disengaged from said dummy-supportstructure pivoted about a horizontal axis up a st the side wall whereby said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure may be pivoted about said vertical axis relative to the anchor member to said inoperative position.

3. Football practice apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the frontal impact brace member comprises a pair of axially telescoping members and spring means acting therebetiveen and operating normally to extend said telescoping members.

Football practice apparatus for installation indoors a nst the side wall of a gymnasium or the like compri ng a base member, an anchor member for mounting at the base of the side Wall, a dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member, and means connecting one end of said base member to said anchor member for pivotal movement of said base member about a vertical axis, said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure adapted to be disposed in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the side Wall and at least one pivotally mounted brace member adapted to engage the dummy-supporting structure in said set-up position, said brace member adapted to be disengaged from said dummy-supporting structure and pivoted about a horizontal axis up against the side Wall whereby said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure may be pivoted about said vertical axis relative to the anchor member to an inoperative position against the side wall wherein the base member and anchor member are disposed in a common plane substantially parallel to one another.

5. Football practice apparatus as claimed in claim including spring means and means for disposing said spring means between the anchor member and Wall to resiliently support said anchor member with respect to said Wall.

s. Football practice apparatus for installation indoors against the side Wall of a gymnasium or the like, comprising a base member, an anchor for mounting at the base of the side Wall, means connecting one end of the base member to said anchor member for pivotal movement of said base member about a vertical axis, said base member adapted to be disposed in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the side Wall and adapted to be pivoted relative to the anchor member to an inoperative position against the side wall wherein the base member and anchor member are disposed in a common plane substantially p rallel to one another, a dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member including a supporting member secured to the base to extend outwardly of the side wall in said set-up position of the base member, and lateral brace members pivotally mounted and adapted to engage the supporting member in said set-up position to brace the supporting structure against lateral movement, said lateral brace members adapted to be disengaged from said dummy-supporting structure and pivoted about a horizontal axis up against the side Wall whereby said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure may be pivoted about said vertical axis relative to the anchor member to said inoperative position.

'7. Football practice apparatus for installation indoors against the Wall or a gymnasium or the like, comprising a base member, an anchor member for mounting at the base of the Wall, means connecting said base member to said anchor member for pivotal movement about a vertical axis selectively operable to position the base member in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the wall and an inoperative position against the wall wherein the base member and anchor member are disposed in a common plane substantially parallel to one another, a dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member including a supporting member secured to the base to extend outwardly from the wall in said set up position of the base member, pivotally mounted lateral brace members selectively movable into a position engaging the supporting structure in said set-up position to brace the supporting structure against lateral movement, and means for detachably connecting said brace members to said supporting structure in said set-up position, said lateral brace members adapted to be disengaged from said dummy-supporting structure and pivoted about a horizontal axis up against the side wall whereby said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure may be pivoted about said vertical axis relative to the anchor member to said inoperative position.

8. Football practice apparatus for installation indoors against the side wall of a gymnasium or the like comprising a base member, an anchor member for mounting at the base of the side wall, means connecting one end of said base member to said anchor member for pivotal movement of said base member about a vertical axis, said base member adapted to be disposed in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the side wall and adapted to be pivoted relative to said anchor member to an inopera tive position up against the wall wherein the base member and anchor member are disposed in a common plane substantially parallel to one another, a dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member including a supporting member secured to the base to extend outwardly from the side wall in said set-up position of the base member, lateral brace members pivotally mounted and adapted to engage the supporting member at opposite sides thereof in said set-up position to brace the supporting structure against lateral movement, a frontal impact brace member, and means for pivotally mounting said frontal impact brace member adjacent the side wall, said frontal impact brace member selectively positionable to engage said support member in the set-up position, said lateral brace members and said frontal impact brace member adapted to be disengaged from said dummy-supporting structure and pivoted about horizontal axes up against the side wall whereby said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure may be pivoted about said vertical axis relative to the anchor member to said inoperative position.

9. Football practice apparatus for installation indoors against the wall of a gymnasium or the like comprising a base member, an anchor member for mounting at the base of the wall, means connecting said base member to said anchor member for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and selectively operable to position the base member in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the wall and an inoperative position up against the wall wherein the base member and anchor member are disposed in a common plane substantially parallel to one another, a dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member including a supporting member secured to the base to extend outwardly from the wall in said set-up position of the base member, lateral brace members pivotally mounted and adapted to engage the supporting member at opposite sides thereof in said set-up position to brace the supporting structure against lateral movement, a frontal impact brace member, means for pivotally mounting said frontal impact brace member adjacent the Wall, said frontal impact brace member being selectively positionable to engage said support member in the set-up position, said lateral brace members and said frontal impact brace member adapted to be disengaged from said dummy-supporting structure and pivoted about horizontal axes up against the side wall whereby said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure may be pivoted about said vertical axis relative to the anchor member to said inoperative position, and means selectively operable to detachably connect said frontal brace member to said supporting member in said set-up position and to secure said frontal impact brace member to the lateral brace members in said inoperative position thereby retaining the latter against the wall.

10. Football practice apparatus for installation indoors against the wall of a gymnasium or the like comprising a base member, means for mounting said base member adjacent the base of the wall for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, said base member selectively positionable in a set-up position substantially perpendicular to the wall or an inoperative position against the wall wherein the base member is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the wall, a dummy-supporting structure mounted on said base member for selective positioning movement therewith, lateral brace members adapted to engage the dummy-supporting structure in said set-up position to brace the same against lateral movement, a frontal impact brace member, means for mounting the frontal impact brace member between the wall and said dummy-supporting structure in said set-up position, and means for detachably connecting said lateral brace members and said frontal impact brace member to the dummy-supporting structure in said set-up position, said lateral brace members and said frontal impact brace member adapted to be disengaged from said dummy-supporting structure and pivoted about horizontal axes up against the wall whereby said base member and associated dummy-supporting structure may be pivoted about said vertical axis relative to the mounting means to said inoperative position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 976,621 11/1910 Baxter 38126 1,420,206 6/1922 Milam 38126 2,227,310 12/1940 Hoppes et al 273l.5 2,820,365 1/1958 Detzel 27355 2,872,192 2/1959 Margetts et al. 2731.5 2,899,208 8/1959 Wallsteiner 273103 X 2,934,343 4/ 1960 Schumacher 273-55 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

ELLIS E, FULLER, Examiner, 

10. FOOTBALL PRACTICE APPARATUS FOR INSTALLATION INDOORS AGAINST THE WALL OF A GYMNASIUM OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER, MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID BASE MEMBER ADJACENT THE BASE OF THE WALL FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, SAID BASE MEMBER SELECTIVELY POSITIONABLE IN A SET-UP POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE WALL OR AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AGAINST THE WALL WHEREIN THE BASE MEMBER IS DISPOSED IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE WALL, A DUMMY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE MOUNTED ON SAID BASE MEMBER FOR SELECTIVE POSITIONING MOVEMENT THEREWITH LATERAL BRACE MEMBERS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE DUMMY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE IN SAID SET-UP POSITION TO BRACE THE SAME AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT, A FRONTAL IMPACT BRACE MEMBER, MEANS FOR MOUNTING THE FRONTAL IMPACT BRACE MEMBER BETWEEN THE WALL AND SAID DUMMY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE IN SAID SET-UP POSITION, AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING SAID LATERAL BRACE MEMBERS AND SAID FRONTAL IMPACT BRACE MEMBER TO THE DUMMY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE IN SAID SET-UP POSITION, SAID LATERAL BRACE MEMBERS AND SAID FRONTAL IMPACT BRACE MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE DISENGAGED FROM SAID DUMMY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE AND PIVOTED ABOUT HORIZONTAL AXES UP AGAINST THE WALL WHEREBY SAID BASE MEMBER AND ASSOCIATED DUMMY-SUPPORTING STRUCTURE MAY BE PIVOTED ABOUT SAID VERTICAL AXIS RELATIVE TO THE MOUNTING MEANS TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION. 